Simple questionS (even more inane questions)

pmorgancym · Post by **pmorgancym** » Wed Jun 05, 2002 7:54 pm

I know this is probably extremely simplistic for most here but I'll give it a go. After purchasing the Abacus Step by Step guide, I'm looking to move on from the "held hand" route to one of my own. I'd like to create a route that starts at about sea level and goes on to climb up a valley. So, is the best (easist) way to achieve this :-
a) Start at the bottom, with the default ground level set at 1m above sea level and slowly build the landscape up.
b) Start at the top, set the default ground level at the highest point, say (for example only) 2500m and build down, slowly lowering the landscape.
or
c) start with the default ground level half way between,and build the landscape up or down as required.

Or doesn't it make much difference?

_________________
Still enjoying playing trains, oh it's a simulator sorry

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Pmorgancym on 2002-06-10 22:39 ]</font>

Goingnorth · Post by **Goingnorth** » Wed Jun 05, 2002 7:58 pm

It doesn't make much difference. But start at the bottom and work up.

saddletank · Post by **saddletank** » Wed Jun 05, 2002 10:22 pm

I think from simple human nature, start at sea level and work upwards. You will find it is easier to put in water from low to high as well if you plan on having a river running down your valley. Most railways had their main stations/junctions/terminii lowdown in valleys with branches generally climbing to higher levels so this will make it easier to lay your route too.

pmorgancym · Post by **pmorgancym** » Mon Jun 10, 2002 9:37 pm

Thought I'd add to this thread rather than start a new. Where would I source trackplans for older (ie closed routes from). Quail maps are great for the here and now, but where would I find the equivalents for 40-50 years ago
?

saddletank · Post by **saddletank** » Tue Jun 11, 2002 7:50 am

Old OS maps of the larger scales are good (6" or better still 25" to the mile). These can be got direct from the OS on paper but be warned they are expensive at Â£25 a sheet. The bonus here is that if 50 years old or more, copyright has expired and you can freely use them for private/non-profit purposes, which covers MSTS freeware routebuilding.

Other than that it is a case of the railway book publishers - Ian Allen, Wild Swan, Oxford Publishing (OPC) all do books on general subjects like "LMS station plans" or whatever and do ones that focus on certain lines, and cover all aspects of that line. The 'Past and Present' series can be handy with old and modern comparison shots of the same places.

Little of this quality of info is available on the net however as gathering it is long expensive work so you will find that you probably have to fork out quite a few quid for a book or two. And be warned, once you start buying railway books it gets addictive - I've tried to cut down but like smoking I'm still compulsively buying a couple a month!

Another source is these book club things. One can be found at http://www.railway.co.uk but watch out as some of their savings are not that good and they try and foist the 'Editors book of the month' on you which is usually something you don't want. The one given above has some useful titles in their list, I just advise caution, it is all too easy when shopping online to go a bit crazy with the old plastic.

Other sources - second hand bookshops. Even ones in small towns can turn up dusty gems in their transport section. Model railway shows are a great source of books as the new and used bookdealers always visit these.

If you are near central London you can't do worse than go to Foyles off Charing X Road or Motor Books down the way a bit nearer the National Gallery.

_________________
Martin
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'bout time I had a new sig

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: saddletank on 2002-06-11 08:52 ]</font>

ianm42 · Post by **ianm42** » Tue Jun 11, 2002 4:23 pm

or you can try http://www.old-maps.co.uk/

pmorgancym · Post by **pmorgancym** » Sun Jun 16, 2002 1:39 pm

goingnorth wrote:It doesn't make much difference. But start at the bottom and work up.

I think it's easier starting form the bottom, as I've just found to my cost, so I'll be starting again

. Nevermind what I've got will make nice terrafroming/texture.scenery practice.

eddief · Post by **eddief** » Sun Jun 16, 2002 2:00 pm

I am no route builder but I would suggest doing the 1 which takes the least work, e.g. if your route is mostly high up set the default height to the top etc.

pmorgancym · Post by **pmorgancym** » Sun Jun 16, 2002 3:53 pm

My problem actuall stems from trying to add more tiles to my route, the new tiles seem to be set at sea level, reguardless of what I set the hieght offset to in the RGE